Boyland's former chief of staff to plead guilty

The former chief of staff of Brooklyn state Assemb. William Boyland is scheduled to plead guilty to bribery and extortion charges in Brooklyn federal court Thursday.

Ryan Hermon, who was indicted in 2011 along with Boyland, will plead to six counts of a 21-count indictment charging bribery and conspiracy to extort in connection with a carnival promoter looking for assistance in Boyland's Brownsville district.

The scheduled guilty plea was listed on the court's calendar, and confirmed by Hermon's lawyer. "That's our anticipation," said Douglas Byrne, the attorney, who cautioned that some details are still being worked out.

The charges against Boyland are pending. He doesn't have a lawyer, and is locked in a dispute with a judge over whether he is entitled to a taxpayer-funded attorney. A source familiar with the case said Hermon has agreed to cooperate with the government.

Hermon's indictment contained two memorable lines from recorded meetings with two undercover FBI agents posing as corrupt businessmen. She allegedly solicited a bribe at a restaurant by saying, "I wouldn't, you know, mind eating some steak and potatoes." And when she was offered $1000, she responded, "You just, like, made me hot."

The charges against Boyland are pending. He doesn't have a lawyer, and is locked in a dispute with a judge over whether he is entitled to a taxpayer-funded attorney. A source familiar with the case said Hermon has agreed to cooperate with the government.